



:ir-:^:r'^: 














f-^'nrc^>^^^S3f^!y::y£jniriT''jj:^-^^ 



'^'^r'- 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Cliap..I_!-l" Copyright No. 

ShelnLL^X^B 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



INTERLUDES 



VERSES 



BY 



BELLE WILLEY GUE 



THE HOUSEHOLD REALM PRESS 
CHICAGO 



L. 



76 5^2 



26748 



COPYRIGHT i»yy 

BY 

BELLE WILLEY GUE 



'0 COPIE'S f^£G'-JV£0. 



Wb^ 



CONTENTS. 

A Song in tbe Night 11 

The Way of the Worlci 11 

A Winter Sunset 13 

A Winter Morning 14 

Winter 15 

Signs ia the Heavens .' 15 

The Cedar of Oregon 16 

Just for Today 17 

Overdue 18 

Limited 19 

The Joy of Life 20 

Beyond 22 

My Guest 23 

To a White-Fringed Poppy 23 

Wood Violets 25 

The Chinese Lily 26 

June Roses 27 

Bring Flowers 28 

A Flower 28 

Wayside Roses 29 

Safe 31 

All Saints Bay 32 

God Knows 33 

A New Year 34 

Re-Incarnation 35 

When the Sun Shines 36 

Easter Lilies 37 

Arhor Day 38 

To the Queen of May 39 

Decoration Day 40 



One Morning in June 41' 

A June Evening 42" 

Wlien tne Corn-s liaid By ....43 

Love - 44 

An August Acadia 45 

Safety 47 

If Summer Skies Were Always Blue 48 

September .' 49 

Thanksgiving Day 50 

On Christmas Eve 51 

The Closing Year, 52 

A Blizzard's Birth 53 

Fulfillment 54 

Reward , 55 

Life 56. 

Courage 57 

Death - 57 

A P etition 58 

Rest 58- 

Over Living 59 

Love Is a Shadow 60 

Dreamland 61 

Defeat 62: 

An Unknown Woman 63. 

Love's Search for Love 65 

Broken Wires ''S 

The Gift of Healing 74. 

Ever- Blooming 75 

Sympathy 7^ 

Winter Winds 77 

If You Were Here and the World Away 78- 

Above the Earth 79> 



The City of Dulutli 79 

Let Me but Look upon Your Face 80 

Sometime 81 

Could I but Come to You 82 

To a Deer in a Public Library 83 

It Was Summer 84 

Anti-Bicycle 85 

Predestination 86 

The Better Part 87 

An Evening Blessing 88 

An Open Door 89' 

John Greenleaf Whittier 90 

Succor 91 

When Daylight Dawns 92 

Memories 93 

When We are Old 94 

Chance 95 

Uncertainty 90 

Adoration 98 

Recompense 99 

Messengers 100 



Not all who sing are poets; some must stay 

Within the limits of the common way; 

Not all souls mount the steps that touch the stars — 

Some never climb beyond the sunset bars. 

And, so, these words of mine I do not claim 

Will set my feet upon the way to fame ; 

But they go forth as interludes between 

The facts and fancies of life's shifting scene. 

Some other soul may hear the harmony 

These thoughts of mine have faintly brought to me. 



]r^'-rE:F=ei_\_jrz) 



A SONG IN THE NIGHT. 

Sweeter, by far, than the songs of the day, 
Purer than music of gladness and light, 

Es the song that bids sorrow and pain flee away 
And comes to the soul in the depths of its night. 

The heart may grow faint with trials and fears, 
For striving and failing may narrow a life 

To burdens, that, crowding the swift-moving 
years, 
Incite us to labor and urge us to strife. 

But just when the darkness hangs heavy and cold. 
And storm-clouds have hidden the dead day's 
delight. 

There comes, with its magic, sad hearts to unfold. 
The glory grief gives us — a song in the night. 

THE WAY OF THE WORLD. 

The way of the world is stony and steep, 
From its dangers there is no guard; 

-And many who walk there have hearts that weep. 
For the way of the world is hard. 



INTERLUDES. 

There are lonely graves along the way 

Where life's fond hopes were lost, 
But the mourners may not stop nor sta}^, 

And they dare not count the cost. 

For the way of the world is on and on, 

There are always hills to climb ; 
While the blessing of sunshine is quickly gone,. 

There are clouds till the end of time. 

The way of the world has sudden turns, 
Where we meet or we part with friends ; 

The meetings are joys that our sorrow earns,. 
The parting our struggling sends. 

For we each must find the path alone, 
Though the darkness our haven hide ; 

On the way of the world no light is thrown,, 
Whatever our souls betide. 

But flowers bloom beside the road, 

And love dispels fate's frown ; 
When our strength no longer can bear our load. 

We may lay our burden down. 

For the way of the world is full of care, 

And crowded the busy street, 
And be our legacy foul or fair 

The passing of many feet 



INTERLUDES. 



Will crush the flowers or cover the stain, 

And stifle our dying moan. 
But there's sweet in the bitter cup we drain, 

If it comes to our lips alone. 

For although the way of the world is cold, 

Yet, under our closest masks. 
There are love and truth that never grow old, 

And they sanctity worldly tasks. 



A WINTER SUNSET. 

Over the hills is my heart's desire — 

Over the snow-clad hills. 
Over the hills is a^livmg^fire. 

Where the sun sinks into the wcst^. 

Straight from the Sun-God's heart of flame, 

Rises a gleaming spire ; 
Over the hills is an honored name, 

Over the hills is rest. 

But the hills are steep and hard to climb. 

While dangers bar the way. 
And my soul is far from that sunny time. 

When love was my glorious guest. 



INTERLUDES. 



Over the hills is the close of day, 
Far from the world's mad whirl ; 

For a life that must battle with grief al way, 
The hush of the night were best. 



A WINTER MORNING. 

-A stretch of golden splendor spans the east 

When night's disguising shadows backward flee, 

-And rifts of rose in sober clouds, fresh-fleeced, 
Are like to sun-kissed waves of a sudsy sea. 

The night's sweet peace has banished hovering 

storm 

That marred the world of mortals, yesterday ; 

Thus, when, though dead, my human heart was 

warm. 

Did sleep drive all my griefs and doubts away. 

But snake-like smoke streams out against the 
sky — 

Sure symbol of the greed of selfish man ; 
Jt speaks of earth and earth's stern toil, and I 

Must act my part, though hidden is the plan. 



INTERL UDES. 



WINTER. 



Snow on the hills, dear, snow in the valleys, 
Snow on your hair, too, but love in your heart ; 

Cold are the still years, but firm your affection, 
So strong that no sorrow can tear it apart. 

Hidden are flowers that bloom in the summer. 
Silent and dreaming in strengthening sleep ; 

Ice-bound the waters that brighten the prairies. 
Fast-locked your love, too, but constant and 
deep. 

Beauties of earth that by fierce winds seem blasted 
Will come to perfection when time is no more ; 

Hard words are melted by tears of forgiveness. 
And spring-time is glorious when winter is o'er.. 



SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS. 

Before the morning shines a star, 

Before the night a sun — 
A hint of what broad worlds there are 

When our brief day is done. 



INTERLUDES. 



THE CEDAR OF OREGON. 

Stately and tall you stood, Oregon Cedar, 

Of all your proud brotherhood, natural leader. 

What were the secrets your deep roots were prob- 
ing, 

While feeding the strength of your evergreen 
robing ? 

Towering toward the sky, did your leaves listen, 
Hearing lost spirits cry where dewdrops glisten ? 

By the glad music that comes from your burning, 
I know a freed soul to its home is returning. 

In the midst of the flame a prayer it is singing. 
From sorrow and shame its way it is winging. 

O soul, bound so long by a hard lesson's learning, 
Your joy is far past my weak wisdom's discerning. 

-So brave and so strong mid the pitiless fire ! 
A sweet, solemn song on a funeral pyre. 



In winter's heart there lies the spring 
Budding for its blossoming. 



INTERL UDES. 



JUST FOR TODAY. 

Just for today these flowers are thine — 

Thine to devour with greedy eye ; 
Just for tonight the still stars shine 
To light your soul to its destiny. 

Just for today the winds of heaven 

Fan from your brow the hand of pain ; 

Just for tonight these tears are given 

To wash from j^our soul this earthly stain 

Just for today his love for thee 

Is constant and pure, and fair and good ; 
Just for tonight you cannot see 

The faults of a common brotherhood. 

Just for today — let us drink them in — 

All of the beauties of every sense ; 
Welcome the sorrow and shun the sin 
That brings all souls sad recompense. 



If all our days were peaceful days, 

We would not welcome rest ; 
We're guided through life's devious ways 

By One who knoweth best. 



INTERL UDES. 



OVERDUE. 



My ship should have come in the morning, 

When the sky was blue and fair, 
When the sun of hope was rising, 

And my heart was brave to dare ; 
For I had been strong in the struggle 

With my life's regrets and tears, 
Had the peace my ship is bringing 

Been but mine through the cruel years. 

And at noon when my soul was heavy 

With a nameless dread and doubt. 
My ship, with its priceless treasure. 

Would have called my courage out ; 
And my eyes had been clear and steady 

As my hands had been strong and firm ; 
But I gazed over still, cold waters. 

And could never a sail discern. 

Now I sit in the sunset shadows. 

That the nearing night doth cast, 
Mid the drifting sands of my prCvSent, 

And the wrecks of my hopeful past ; 
Yet I trust that the far horizon 

Doth hide from my earthly view 
The satisfying cargo 

Of my ship that is overdue. 



INTERLUDES. 



LIMITED. 



Paint me a tree, my artist, 

That speaks througli its trembling leaves 
Paint me warm lips that qtiiver 

When their owner joys or grieves ; 
And here, where the shadows deepen 

And the chastened sunlight falls, 
Let me lave in the silent waters 

That your magic brush recalls. 

And you, oh, my high-souled poet, 

With 5^our gift of eternal youth. 
Write me the word that shall bring me 

To the dwelling of actual truth. 
Read me no dreamy fancies — 

Fair images of your brain — 
But disclose the secret of gladness. 

And the mystery of pain. 

And you, who have power to open 

The mystical gates of sound. 
Bring back the voice of my mother 

That the sweeping years have drowned ; 
No music that ever was written 

Could equal one tender word 
Of the sweetest, purest cadence 

That my ears have ever heard. 



INTERL UDES. 



Oh, worshipful, gentle lover, 

Making vows for the years to come, 
Are you sure that you'll not forget me 

When my few brief days are done ? 
When human hands are sundered. 

And a grave is heaped between. 
Few hearts force life's devotion 

Past death's dark, chilling stream. 

Oh, fair is pictured nature 

And wonderful is thought. 
And song makes peace of sorrows 

That life and loss have brought ; 
Uplifting like Levana, 

Dear one, are words of thine, 
But everything that's finite 

Falls short of the divine. 



THE JOY OF LIFE. 

Oh, life hath joy in the morning time 

For every living thing; 
Glad bells send out a merry chime. 

And nature's voices sing. 



INTERL UDES. 

lyife's hopes are bounding in the blood, 

Barth's beauties stretch away ; 
The world is fresh, and fair, and good. 

In the dawning of the day. 

The joy that comes with the high noon hour 

Is the joy of the flowers in bloom, 
The consciousness of strength and power 

O'er the threads in life's swift loom. 
Possession dims our fondest dreams, 

Barth's sorrows pass us by, 
Ivife's fairest sunshine o'er us streams 

When the hour of noon is nigh. 

•Oh, sweet is the joy of eventide, 

Loved memories of the past ; 
By silent shores still waters glide 

When the light is fading fast; 
The joy of one who has run his race. 

The blessing of well earned rest ; 
Oh, the joys of the day are full of grace, 

But the evening joys are best. 



INTERLUDES. 



BEYOND. 



Somewhere, beyond your narrow, dark horizon 
There gleams a vision your ejes would joy to see 

Somewhere, beyond deformities that haunt you, 
Symmetry and beauty are bountiful and fiee. 

Somewhere, beyond this deep, discordant jarring 
There swells an anthem of glorious harmony ; 

Somewhere, there throbs a keynote that would 
help you 
To hear through all nature a perfect symphony. 

Somewhere, beyond the clasp that now defiles you, 
There is a strength that's good and kind and 
clean; 

Somewhere, beyond this fickle, human longing. 
There is a love on which your heart may leanv. 

Never forgetting this promise of the future. 

Walk through the world, advancing while you 
dream, 

Know that a land of plenteous peace awaits you,, 
Though bounded by a turbid, shifting stream. 



22 



INTERLUDES. 



MY GUEST. 



Ivong had I watched for him, and when he came 
I gladly, proudly, led him to his place — 
My richest chamber, decked with all the grace 
I could command ; warmed by a sacred flame, 
A holy brightness only he could claim. 
His voice was full of music ; o'er his face 
There swept a veil ; beneath it I could trace 
His beauteous features, yet the cloud became 
A terror to me. "Ivove," I cried, "sweet Love, 
I pray thee let me undimmed sunshine borrow 
From out the splendor of thine eyes ; remove 
What hides thee from me. "Wait," he said, 

"tomorrow" — 
"Today!" I cried, "and never from me rove." 
The mist is gone. I know my guest is Sorrow. 



TO A WHITE-FRINGED POPPY. 

Teach me, fair flower, to forget 
lyife's toil and trouble, fire and fret ; 
Pure as thy petals make my heart, 
Forced in the world to bear its part : 



23 



INTERL UDES. 

Ivike thy serrated leaves, my soul 
Is torn, while waves of sorrow roll 
Above the graves wherein are laid 
What once a gloried halo made 
Of common things that grate and jar,. 
Where only searing memories are. 

But may I e'er remember when 

I first knew love of fellow-men ; 

Not singly and for certain graces 

We think we see in human faces ; 

But when nay eyes were opened wide 

To beauties lying close beside 

The path my blundering feet had trod, 

My sad eyes searching on the sod, 

For selfish joys my being craved — 

Deep pools where longing might be laved. 

I pray you, poppy, leave behind 
Seeds to perpetuate your kind ; 
And plant them here within my heart. 
So that, when bitter tear-drops start, 
They will but hasten into bloom 
Oblivion's types that speak the doom 
Of love and love's divine regret, 
For love is dead when we forget. 
And let me, like you, cull to-day, 
Whatever blessings come my way. 



24 



INTERL UDES. 



WOOD VIOLETS. 

What cares my soul for the world and its sorrows. 
What fears my heart for its swift-coming doom, 

What care I now for my anxious tomorrows ? 
My violets are in bloom. 

Full of the sweetness of love more than mortal, 
Making paradise of my narrow room. 

Making my window of heaven the portal : 
My violets are in bloom. 

Bringing me comfort my dead hopes have hidden,. 

Telling of peace that will come to me soon, 
Bringing me joys that are pure as unbidden : 

My violets are in bloom. 

Memories dear as themselves do they cover, 
Deep in the shelter of silence and gloom, 

Visions of sunshine and trees bending over 
Where violets are m bloom. 



To those who write and those who read 
The end comes swift and sure ; 

No human hope — no human need 
Forever can endure. 



25 



INTERL UDES. 



THE CHINESE LILY. 



The sacred lily of Cathay 

Strayed from its home one winter's day, 

And angels guided it my way. 

On Hera's bosom taught to rest, 

(Of all the Greeks the lovliest). 

Hath to her heart this blossom pressed. 

Its perfume is her fragrant breath ; 
The dew upon its snowy sheath 
Was caught her tender eyes beneath . 

^'Behold the lilies of the field!" 

Cried One who death's dark door unsealed — 

God's glorious thought through flesh revealed. 

To thee, my love, this gift I send. 
And may these spotless petals lend 
Remembrance of a constant friend. 

These silent, loving hearts of gold, 
The mystery of life unfold — 
A wondrous story yet untold. 

Sweet emblems of fair purity ; 
I pray that lilies bring to thee 
The rarest dreams of land and sea. 



26 



INTERLUDES. 



JUNE ROSES. 

June roses are fairies, imprisoned but happy, 

They're blushing with pleasure or pale with de- 
light ; 

June roses are fair in the freshness of morning, 
But sweeter and dearer are roses at night. 

The bonds of the sprite are the soft, silken petals. 
The heart of the rose is the fairy's warm breast. 

The breath of the fairy is fragrant and helpful, 
Sustaining sad souls that are longing for rest. 

The wind is a rover who loves the bright fairy, 
And, loosening her fetters, he scatters the rose ; 

And so, from her prison, still cheerful and happy, 
Away, with her lover, the sweet fairy goes. 

(Set to music by Fanny Snow Knowlton, and published 
in her book of "iSTature's Songs," by Milton Bradley Co., 
-Springfield, Mass., in 1898.) 



After the winter of discontent 
Cometh the blessing of tears. 

After hours in suffering spent, 
Cometh the healing of years. 



27 



INTER L UDES. 



BRING FLOWERS. 



Bring flowers — bring flowers — to greet the wee 
maiden ; 

Bring lilies as pure as her innocent soul, 
As sweet as her face by earth's sorrows unladen, 

Bring trailing arbutus and daisies and hope. 

Bring flowers — frail flowers — to wear at her wed- 
ding ; 
Bring roses that blush with remembrance of 
bliss ; 
Bring flowers as bright as her heart is confiding, 
And pansies and patience and unselfish love. 

Bring flowers — pale flowers — her coffin to cover, 
For years are as flowers that live but to fade ; 

Farewell to the voices of friend and of lover. 

Bring poppies and heliotrope and violets and, 
tears. 



A FLOWER. 

The seed was sown in bitterness, 
It was watered with many tears, 

And sad eyes watched it growing, 
Through barren, dreary years. 



28 



INTERL UDES. 



The plant at first was dwarfish, 

Like a helpless heart that grieves ; 

And harsh winds tossed and twisted 
Its stunted, shadowed leaves. 

But a bud of fragrant beauty 
Was swelling in the gloom, 

And a single gleam of sunshine 
Has coaxed it into bloom. 

The soil is a strong soul's sorrow ; 

The flower is a hidden hope ; 
And it lifts up lives that falter, 

And in utter darkness grope. 

Its breath is the dainty perfume 

That creeps past the close shut gates 

Of the heaven of peace and gladness 
That the steadfast heart awaits. 



WAY-SIDE ROSES. 

Stretching out glad hands to greet me. 

Just a casual passer-by. 
Bringing down from heights Elysian 

L/iving truths for those who die. 



29 



INTERLUDES. 



Gifts from God to those who journey 
Through the mystery of the night, 

Faithful guides to point all mortals 
To the way that leads to light. 

Springing up by common road-ways, 
Clothed in all their dainty grace, 

Modest, pure, and steadfast spirits, 
Children of a lowly race. 

Harsh winds rudely toss and twist them, 
Fierce suns drink their perfume in ; 

Beauty — sadly sweet and trustful — 
Swallowed up by unknown sin. 

Gleams of genius — flaming beacons. 
Flowers that bloom beside the way ; 

Fragrance, music, stars of evening. 
Lead from darkness unto day. 



The winter's storm is fierce and strong. 
But mightier far the power of wrong ; 
We may not bar the tempest's track. 
But one pure soul can force sin back. 



30 



INTERL UDES. 



SAFE. 



A soul has broken through, the gates of earth 
And gained its port, its troublous voyage o'er.. 
The beacon that an angel raised to guide 
His frail bark through the waste of waters 
Trembled, glimmered, poised itself and fell ; 
I saw it leave the hand that trimmed its flame 
And pass into oblivion; it neared our world 
To light the soul it guided safely through 
The harbor's mouth — the narrow way that men 
Are taught to think is death. I know the soul 
That just now left its borrowed clay was one 
Whose course was girt about with danger, 
For the star was very bright; a safer soul 
Had needed not so clear a light; his course 
Had been through calmer seas ; but this one, 
Tempest-tossed, led on by demons, drifted, 
Horror-stricken, near to Scylla and her twin, - 
Charybdis ; wrecked or swallowed up he would 
Have been but for the loving eyes that watched,. 
The loving hands that set the star, by which 
He ever tried to steer his ship ; the crew 
Was mutinous and reefed the sails or raised 
The anchor, worked the ship, at will; to him 
They would not yield obedience; but tonight 



INTERL UDES. 



That pain-pierced soul has reached his haven ; 
To-night his angel welcomes him; to-night 
She frees him from the wounds, the scars, that sin 
Has seemed to stain him with. How gloriously 
That soul enjoys his freedom! How his angel 
Clasps him close and loves him! Bliss untold! 
Had his earth-life been less tiresome, think you 
Rest had been so sweet to him, so sating? 

Published toy Cosmopolitan Magazine, Feb. 1892. 



ALL SAINTS DAY. 

Of all the laurels lost and won, 

The crown of love seems best to me. 

A dream of hope is heaven begun. 
Though closely joined to poverty. 

Of all the graces neath the sun 
There's none so sweet as Charity. 

By Faith are earthly fears undone ; 

Through Faith a righteous law we see. 

I worship all the Saints in One 
And find them all in thee. 



INTERLUDES. 



GOD KNOWS. 

No soul can ever wander 

In sorrow or in sin, 
So tar God cannot find it 

And guide it back to Him. 

The weaknesses and forces 
That make our mortal deeds, 

Are known to Him, and with them, 
Our longing and our needs. 

The devious ways we journey, 
The dangers that we meet. 

Are only steps and lessons 
Predestined for our feet. 

The darkness and the bruises 
Are but to make us strong, 

To see the road before us. 
And recognize the wrong. 

Our Father sees our fetters, 

And He will set us free. 
To follow love and beauty 

Through all eternity. 



33 



INTERL UDES. 



A NEW YEAR. 

Sins and sorrows of the past 

Stagger into view ; 
Hopes that were too dear to last, 

Come before me, too. 
Days that were so sweet and glad 

Have passed away, 
And so my heart is very sad, 

On New Year's day. 

Unstained hours gleam for all 

Where the future lies, . 
There do living waters fall, 

Watched by tender eyes ; 
Changing skies of blue are clad 

In gold or gray, 
And so my inmost soul is glad 

On New Year's day. 



May Christmas peace and Christmas cheer 
Be yours through all the coming year. 



34 



INTERLUDES. 



RE-INCARNATION. 



The lazy sunshine of the spring 

Is softly drifting by, 
While toward the still past hastening^ 

The laden hours fly. 

For time and sense must pass away, 

As earthly beauties fade; 
And night shuts out the fairest day, 

As sunshine sinks in shade. 

But strong souls were not born to die ; 

They change their outward form ; 
We hear sin's expiating cry 

In every wailing storm. 

Within this lily's creamy cup 

The spirit of a queen 
Re-lives a life she offered up 

Despair and pride between : 
This stately native of the Nile 

Brings unto earth again 
The wealth of Cleopatra's smile, 

But purified by pain. 

Beneath this violet's royal dress 

I see a woman's heart; 
She knew not peace nor happiness,. 

But bravely bore her part : 



INTERL UDES. 



I know her thoughts reanimate 
This subtle, sweet perfume ; 

Thus Justice, though she tarry late, 
Brings sorrow into bloom. 

So, dear, in days that are to come 
Some flower at your feet — 

Though lips of mine are cold and dumb- 
Will my devotion speak. 



WHEN THE SUN SHINES. 

When the sunshine o'er one hovers, 
Hope and longing are at hand ; 

All the world is made for lovers. 
Beauty rules the peaceful land. 

Fairest flowers rise to meet it, 
Lift their faces toward the light, 

Sweetest bird-songs thrill to greet it, 
Sunshine makes all nature bright. 

Tears of sorrow may be staining 
All the bitter path of pain, 

But, remember, when it's raining. 
That the sun will shine again. 



INTERL UDES. 



EASTER LILIES. 



Baster lilies lift their faces 

After winter's storms pass by ; 

Angel gifts and angel graces 

Rise from death's despairing cry. 

Clinging care for what must perish 
In life's chilling, biting sleet, 

Leads us on to fondly cherish 
What is lasting, pure and sweet. 

Baster lilies add a blessing 

To a strong soul's perfect peace ; 

Easter lilies are caressing 

Hearts whose sorrows never cease. 

Faith and truth and beauty found them 
On their joyous natal morn. 

Bounteous promises surround them, 
In their shadow love is born. 



Dead leaves drift o'er summer's grave- 
Resurrection all things have; 
Nothing lives and dies in vain ; 
Deepest loss is highest gain. 



INTERL UDES. 



ARBOR DAY. 



To plant a tree — perchance beneath its shade 
A burden sore and heavy shall be laid, 
A cross by cruelty or blunders made, 
In years to be. 

To plant a tree — perhaps its murmuring leaves 
May whisper comfort to some heart that grieves 
Thus present thought a future good achieves ; 
These things may be. 

To plant a tree — sometime a little child 
May sleep as if a tender mother smiled 
Beneath these branches, undefiled ; 
Sweet rest to thee. 

To plant a tree — oh, lovers, may your feet 
Bear you, with rapturous joy, sometime, to meet 
The dearest life your own shall ever greet. 
Beneath this tree. 

To plant a tree — bring peace and hope and sleep 
To human hearts that smile and souls that weep ;. 
Be broad and high and full of love, but keep 
No thought of me. 



INTERL UDES. 



TO THE QUEEN OF THE MAY. 

X/ight of foot and fair of feature, 
Mirth and music m your glance, 

Welcome every living creature 
To the rhythmic May-pole dance. 

Give a gayly-colored streamer 
To each eager, empty hand ; 

Thou the queen and glad redeemer 
Of a frozen, dreary land. 

Move, then, to a merry measure. 

Fill the universe with song, 
Voice a thought for all to treasure. 

Summer days are dear and long. 

Woodland sprite or nymph or woman, 
Bring refreshing, ambient air, 

Spirit thou, but sweetly human, 
Fragrant breath and flowing hair. 

Soft winds blowing, sunbeams glancing. 
Flowers blooming all the way, 

All hearts join you in your dancing. 
Joyous, helpful queen of May. 



INTERLUDES. 



DECORATION DAY. 



Let us weep for the widowed iu heart and in- 
spirit, 
Bereft of the dearest of blessings of earth ; 
For the fatherless children, fore-doomed to in- 
herit 
The horrors of war that o'er-shadowed their 
birth ; 
For beauty and promise were hidden away 
In the graves that we cover with sorrow to-day. 

But rejoice for the souls early freed from their 

crosses, 
Who rose, at one bound, to most difficult 

heights ; 
Who left all life's heart-aches and evils and 

losses, 
In the noble defense of humanity's rights ; 
The patriot's high purpose is speaking, alway, 
From the graves that we cover with honor 

today. 



INTERLUDES. 



ONE MORNING IN JUNE. 

The breath of nature fills the air, 

Fresh from a wholesome, peaceful rest ; 

The prairie's face seems doubly fair, 
By night's fond, farewell tears caressed. 

"Wild rosebuds rise to deck the day 
And greet the sun in glad surprise ; 

The darkness that has passed away 
Has left mild wonder in their eyes. 

Tall cotton woods are whispering 
Of secrets far too deep for me, 

And feathered lovers madly sing 
To listening mates, persuasively. 

I^ike some rare iewel set in iade, 
Gleams forth, the shy anemone, 

Inquisitive, yet half afraid, 

Free, untamed creatures speak to me. 

Here, happy, loitering cattle stray, 
Wading, knee-deep, in clover bloom. 

Unmindful of that dreadful day 
When they shall meet their cruel doom. 



INTERLUDES. 



The forest's shade is hovering 

O'er many a soft and anxious nest ; 
The small hearts it is covering 

Make love love's only perfect test. 
* * -x- -X- * 

With all its rich treasure 

It vanished too soon ; 
Day-dreams had no measure 

That morning in June. 



A JUNE EVENING. 

The day has passed with all its weight 

Of sorrows and of fears ; 
The day has passed, and with it, gone 

Its raptures and its tears. 

Sweet roses send their fragrance out 

Beside the common road ; 
The soul within them gently speaks, 

And lightens many a load. 



42 



INTERLUDES. 



Here, gentle, peaceful cattle sleep ; 

I hear their restful sighs ; 
Such blessed nights leave human help 

Within their quiet eyts. 

I see bright firefly signals now 
Flash out against the dark ; 

I wonder what the message is 
Of each small, brilliant spark. 

The hosts of heaven have set their lam] 
Where all the world may see, 

And on to higher, better thoughts 
They beckon, graciously. 

When, in my misty, future life, 
My soul grows sick with wrong, 

The memories of this calm night 
Shall make me glad and strong. 



WHEN THE CORN S LAID BY- 

There's sweet fragrance in the meadows, 
There are nights too fair to die, 

There is sunshine chasing shadows. 
When the corn's laid by. 



INTERLUDES. 



There is strength in ever}' morning. 
There's a promise in the sky, 

Hope the wide world is adorning, 
When the corn's laid by. 

Conscience clear and cheerful labor 
Make the heart too light to sigh, 

Nature g-reets one as a neighbor, 
When the corn's laid by. 

Peace and rest and glad ambition 
All the ills of earth defy, 

We're approaching full fruition, 
When the corn's laid by. 



LOVE. 

Though tossed the lake, the mountain 

The rising sun doth greet ; 
Though pitchers break, the fountain 

Still keeps its waters sweet. 

Though friends and fortune fail them 
And even death seems slow. 

No ruin can assail them 
Who purest loving know. 



INTERLUDES. 



AN AUGUST ACADIA. 



Tall trees with loving, leafy arms that touch 
Their sister trees across a shallow stream 
Which, having long refreshed the thirsty air, 
Hath narrowed, till the margin of its bed 
Where tiny tribes were wont to dart and float 
Is unprotected from the noon-da}' sun 
Who found it coylj^ cool and left it warm ; 
Kach prisoning pebble walling in some sprite 
Whose blushes burned themselves into the stone 
That shut her in — so fierce the Fairy grew 
Beneath the bold caressing of the rays 
That seemed to try to coax her from her cell ; 
Though jealous shadows came, they quickly went, 
As sorrow melts before the power of love. 

The dim, primeval forest stretched away 
On all sides from this bit of open sky ; 
From those dark aisles two tired women came 
Unto the languor of this safe retreat; 
Aweary with the weight of wealth they bore 
As trophies of their wandering in the woods. 
They cast themselves upon the silent shore ; 
The one, her soft cheek pillowed in her hand, 
Her listless limbs disposed with careless grace, 



45 



INTERLUDES. 

Drew gently to her breast the other's head, 
Her free hand toying with their mingled hair ; 
Ivike Lillith and an Eve before the fall, 
With beauty and with innocence endowed, 
The peace of nature kissed their eye-lids down. 

A little farther down the creek's cramped course 
A moss grown bridge that human hands had 

built 
Was freighted with a motley company ; 
Pale Grief — grim Want— hot Tears — and woman's 

Woe— 
B'en satisfying Love was waiting there 
To make or mar the future of the two 

Who rested on such pure, enchanted ground, 
That nothing past or coming troubled them ; 
The dumb despair that was to crush one down, 
The blessed hope that was to make her strong, 
The pain the other bore so patiently, 
That those who saw her thought her soul at 

peace. 
Were all beyond the magic atmosphere 
That wrapped them round that happ}^ August 

day. 

Though this brief glimpse of calm Acadia 
Was but an interlude in stormy lives. 



INTERL UDES. 



Remembrance of it always brought a taste 
That lingered in their hearts and made the cup 
They had to drain less bitter, yet, the source 
Of the strange spell they knew not; evermore 
Each little Nun within her cloister kept 
Her secret pure and undefiled; content 
With the small boundaries nature'd set for her, 
She dwelt in happiness and perfect rest. 
Sweet souls ! They deem that all the world 

fair ! 
Shall we who breathe this earthly air and know 
That sin and sunshine, love and sorrow, blend. 
Presume to call them " blind " or only *' wise? " 



SAFETY. 

She walks in safety all the way 
Wherever life may guide her, 

Though, temptingly, by night and day 
Earth's dangers stalk beside her. 

They cannot spoil or stain her soul, 
Because her thoughts are pure ; 

Eyes lifted toward a sacred goal 
No evil can endure. 



INTERLUDES. 



IF SUMMER SKIES WERE ALWAYS BLUE. 

If summer skies were always blue, 
And trusted friends were always true, 

Then I'd put perfect faith in you, 
My bonnie dearie. 

If years were always rosy June, 
And hearts were never out of tune, 

Then I would wed you and wed soon, 
My bonnie dearie. 

If there were ne'er a storm-swept night, 
And all of love were love's delight, 

Then I'd with yours my fate unite, 
My bonnie dearie. 

But as it is, I'll set you free, 

And sadly keep your memory 
A sweet and sacred thing to me. 

My bonnie dearie. 

Set to music by Fanny Snow-Knowlton. Published, 
by Oliver Ditson & Co. 



INTERLUDES. 



SEPTEMBER. 



"^Sad stars of April watched and wept 

Till May-flowers wakened from their sleep. 

June, crowned with royal roses, swept 
Through nature's palace, wide and deep. 

Then summer's sultry suns began 

To draw swift lightning from the skies, 

And wild winds shrieked " How frail is man 
How futile are his human cries ! " 

The great, red, glorious harvest moon, 

Calm harbinger of happy rest, 
Foretold of days to follow soon, 

Of all the year the brightest, best. 

The haze that veils the distant hills 
Shuts out a weary world of care ; 

September's quiet presence stills 
Heartaches that grow into despair. 

This first rich jewel of the fall 

Adorns the forest and the plain ; 
Its benediction blesses all, 
Like welcome, sweet, refreshing rain. 



INTERLUDES. 



THANKSGIVING DAY. 



For the great gift of human sight, 
By which the radiant summer skies, 
And the swift glance of glad surprise 
That sometimes leaps to lover's eves — 

By which the sparkling stars of night, 

Are, through God's grace, revealed to thee. 

For the sweet mystery of touch, 
The warm, soft clasp of tender hands, 
And messages from distant lands. 
Stronger, by fat, than golden bands, 

(The brightest spots on earth are such) — 

Give thanks, my friend, today, with me. 

For the wide, wondrous world of sound, 
So strong to banish mortal fears. 
And make a song of all the years, 
A song of smiles and healing tears — 

That many a listening soul has found, 
For dissonance and harmony. 

For each small flower's tragrant breath, 
A balm for some lone heart that grieves 
O'er wasted days and fallen leaves, 
When friendship fails and love deceives — 

For every phase of life and death, 

Thanksgiving, praise and charity. 



INTERL UDES. 



ON CHRISTMAS EVE. 



Mistletoe weeps as she hangs in the hall, 

Mistletoe is weary ; 
She longs for the fairest one of all, 

Longs for you, my dearie. 

She gave her life to nourish tears, 

As the nights grew longer ; 
Darkest nights and wildest fears 

Make a strong heart stronger. 

Does mistletoe weep for the love that is wed- 
Closely joined — to sorrow ? 

And can she hear the sentence read 
Of some sad tomorrow ? 

While she is brooding o'er the spot 

Set apart for lovers, 
Dire foreboding marreth not 

Bliss that she discovers. 

Mistletoe's grieving, now, with me ; 

You, alone, she misses ; 
Come, my dear one, let her see 

How your lips make kisses. 



INTEKL UDES. 



THE CLOSING YEAR. 



With mistletoe and holly 

Upon your bier, 
Make room for youth and folly, 

Thou sad old year. 

You've felt the pains and sorrows 

That mortals know; 
We long for new tomorrows, 

So bid you go. 

We'll give the joys you've taught us 

A last goodbye, 
And failures that you've brought us 

A passmg sigh. 

When sunshine gilds your coffin 

With hope and cheer, 
The world's hard heart will soften, 

And shed a tear. 

But a new year discerning 

Bi yond your tomb, 
All mortals will be turning 

From grief and gloom. 



52 



INTERLUDES, 

They'll place a wreath of holly 

Upon your grave, 
And haste to greet the folly 

That once you gave. 



A BLIZZARD S BIRTH, 

A dense, gray fog like a dove's soft wing 
Shrouded the wide, bare plain ; 

A pale sun peered like a timorous thing, 
Curtained by coming rain. 

A searching wind from the sunny south 
Swept past the sad sky's tears ; 

A slow, sweet smile on a sensitive mouthy. 
Hopes that are changed to fears. 

iVreat, feathery, fluttering, coaxing flakes 
Fly through the shuddering air, 

Then a biting sleet that willfully makes 
Havoc of what is fair. 

The fierce north wind and the east and west 

Are wildly whirling by, 
A treacherous, dangerous, unkind jest — 

A blizzard in full cry. 



53 



INTERL UDES. 



FULFILLMENT. 



Maytime comes, however dreary 
Cheerless winter days have been ; 

Heart of mine, be thou not weary, 
Summer's peace will come again. 

Frost but nourishes the flowers, 

Hovering o'er them while they sleep 

Thoughtful, lonely, wretched hours 
Visions bring to eyes that weep. 

Sunset makes the sky seem bluer, 
Ivife renewed each flower shares ; 

Sorrow makes the strong heart truer 
To the love a strong soul bears. 

Blossoms gathered for the seeking 
All the works of art surpass ; 

Nature's hopes fulfilled are speaking 
In each tiny blade of grass. 

Universal strength is lending 
Lessons with the passing years, 

Universal good is sending 
All the flowers, all the tears. 



54 



INTERL UDES. 



REWARD. 



The summit gained, we do not heed the steps 
Up which we've climbed, although our feet be torn 
And bleeding from their roughness. The cloud- 
swept 
Valleys and the sun-kissed hills absorb our souls ;. 
We breathe the higher, purer air, drink in the 

view, 
Unmindful of the storms and thorns that tossed 
And pierced us 'ere we reached our goal. The bird 
That's warm within his nest does not regret 
His battle with the wind and rain that strove 
To keep him from his leaf-embowered home ; 
He smoothes his ruffled plumage, tucks his head 
Beneath his wing, and rests beside his mate. 
The ship that's safely gained her chosen port 
Mourns not her sides all stained and battered 
B}^ the billows of the sea, but rides, serene, 
At anchor. When gazing through the starry eyes 
Of Heaven, catching glimpses of the vastness 
Far beyond the limit of our finite world 
"We do not dread the blackness of the night. 
When listening to the whirr of angel's wings 
We are unconscious of the grief that brought 
Us under them. It is not what we have 



INTERLUDES. 

That brings us happiness, so much as how 
Our treasures come to us. . Gifts from one we 
Hate were valueless. The strength that God 
Has given His children, strength to bear and do 
Is priceless. Only in one way can mortals 
Come into possession of that supernal peace 
That lifts them high above the jeers, the hoots, 
The senseless scornings of the man}^ I know 
The one sure road is through the brave endurance 
Of pain and fear and mighty, bitter sorrow. 



LIFE. 

Sorrow and sighing and sobbing and tears ; 
Fruitless endeavor and weakness and fears ; 
Doubts for the days and dread of the years. 

Sunshine and smiling and love that is pure ; 
Joys that are blissful and peace that is sure ; 
Hopes for the future and strength to endure. 



56 



INTER L UDES. 



COURAGE, 



Tendrils of love I twine for thee, 
And from thy pictured face 

A living light shtnes out for me — 
Thy steadfast spirit's grace. 

Personal sorrow fades away, 

And from eternity 
Thy strength upholds my earthly stay 

With love's sweet mystery. 

Dear, in the depths my soul must go ; 

Stand thou upon the brink ; 
With thee so near, my heart, I know, 

Will falter not nor shrink. 



DEATH. 

Silence and distance and horrors of night ; 
Adorable beauties shut out from the sight ; 
Coldness and absence and longing for light. 

Safety — completion — and knowledge and rest ; 
Soothing hands laid on a turbulent breast ; 
Fullness of glory by mortals unguessed. 



57 



INTERLUDES. 



A PETITION. 



Valentine, Saint Valentine, listen to our prayer ; 
Make our sun of joy to shine, banish our despair 

To you, who cured deformity many years ago. 
We bring sad hearts, tearfully, our wounds to 
show. 

Heal them; Saint Valentine, martyred and strongs 
Mend me this heart of mine broken for long. 

Send us some sign, we pray, make us now to see 
Some far-off flower-strewn way leading on to 
thee. 

Valentine, Saint Valentine, listen to our prayer ; 
Give us love as pure as thine, make our spirits 
fair. 



REST. 



The hazy Indian summer 
Hangs o'er the distant hill ; 

My soul drinks in the silence, 
And all the world is still. 



58 



INTERL UDES. 



Forgotten are the sorrows 
That came with burning days, 

And hushed to far, faint echoes 
The censure and the praise. 

The world is fair and peaceful, 
And calmly beats a heart 

Where all the storms of passion 
And love have played their part. 

Winter and spring and summer 
With all their wealth pass by, 

And lead to life's last autumn 
Where restless longings die. 



OVER-LIVING. 

With all your steps to music, 
And all your soul a song. 

How can the day be dreary ? 
How can the night be long ? 



INTERLUDES. 



Look up, dear heart, and listen 

To purest harmony, 
See fairest faces beaming 

With spirit sympathy. 

Let not your strong faith tremble, 
Nor yield to dark despair ; 

Know there's a world of beauty 
Above a world of care. 

With one sweet hope to guide you. 
You have a steadfast friend 

To fill your soul with courage, 
Whatever fate may send. 



LOVE IS A SHADOW. 

Ivove is a shadow fleeing ever 
From those who seek his face ; 

Love is a dreamer waking never 
From love's ethereal place. 

Mortals sleep and bending o'er them 
This shadow bids them come ; 

Let but love go on 1)efore them. 
They follow blind and dumb. 



60 



INTERLUDES. 

Shadows come in sunny weather ; 

Love is of the day ; 
Grief and darkness are together 

When love is far away. 

Love is a river jfllowing ever 
Out toward the restless sea ; 

Love is a shadow staying never 
To rest on you and me. 



DREAMLAND, 

Far, far away toward the sunset 
Is an island of the sea, 

Where all is light and beauty. 
And life and love are free. 

The light is always golden, 
And the beauties never pall ; 

The air is full of music, 
And love is over all. 

When weary with the struggles 
That come to you and me, 

Let us haste away, together, 
To this island of the sea. 



INTERL UDES. 



DEFEAT. 



I saw a woman clambering up a height ; 
Her form was slight ; too frail a thing she seemed 
For such a burden as was hers to bear ; 
Alone she journeyed, but her solitude 
Was such as lends a gracious charm to all 
Who gaze upon the face of one who dreams, 
And, dreaming, tells of sights and sounds above 
The common world that common mortals know. 
Majestic strength shone grandly from her eyes ; 
The lines about her mouth were drawn by pain 
Yet showed her lips had trembled to great joy. 
Right humbly did she kneel before a shrine 
I could not see; and, always, when she rose, 
She seemed to see beyond the path that stretched 
So far, so steep; seemed to see the goal 
Toward which she struggled ; then the darkness- 
came. 
EJach living soul must find within itself 
The might to conquer, courage to sustain, 
In an unequal battle with the world ; 
And so I know she bravely won the place 
She strove to gain ; and when I saw her stand 
Upon the summit of her hoped-for joy. 
Her triumph and her peace were glorious ; 



62 



INTERL UDES. 

I heard her murmur: ' 'Now grant me to see 
That nobler life for which I gave my own ; 
I've borne the sorrow, give me my reward," 
And then there shone from out her face the 

light 
That comes when hidden, baleful fires are burning 
Within a tortured soul; I stood beside 
Her then, and looked, with her, upon a wreck 
Tossed out upon the shores of death by waves 
That gather volume from a selfish grief 
And are the waves of weakness and of sin. 
And she, so strong to counsel, tender to 
Console, had worshipped what we saw and made 
Herself a living sacrifice for him. 
I turned away from ruin so complete. 



AN UNKNOWN WOMAN. ^ 

She died ; her strong heart ceased to beat , 
Stilled for all time was her clear voice, 

Resting, at last, were weary feet 

And hands that made the weak rejoice. 



63 



INTERLUDES. 



They who had shared her patient life, 
Came, now, to look upon her, dead ; 

Leaving, awhile, their earthly strife, 
By common loss and sorrow led. 

"Oh, mother mine," a maiden cried. 

Her tears flowed fast, "oh, mother mine,. 

In all this great, wide world beside 
There is no love so sweet as thine." 

"She was my wife," said one, "for years 
She toiled with courage at my side ; 

She brought me pleasures, soothed my fears^ 
She was my comfort and my pride." 

" My one true friend," one thought, "my own ;; 

With others I must needs be gay, 
But, in rare hours with you alone, 

I let my sorrow have its way . " 

And some there were who could not come 

To leave a flower on her grave ; 
The deepest griefs are often dumb, 

And memories are all they have. 

All her small world had fondly clung 

To attributes that she had shown 
By hand or heart or eye or tongue, 

But by no human was she known . 



64 



INTERLUDES, 



love's search for love. 

Half hidden bj' an over-hanging flower 

The God of love, divine and human, slumbered 
There had he lain for many a happy hour. 
Hours that sunbeams bright had numbered. 
His quiver lay beside him on the sand. 
His bow was clasped within his chubby 
hand. 

The waves had sung a soothing lullaby 

When weary Cupid sought a nook to rest in ; 
But now they called him by their warning cry 
From Morpheus' arms, where dreams had blessed 
him. 
Bewildered, then, Love leaped into the foam 
That made fair Aphrodite's baby-home. 

In coral caves of her ^^gean sea, 

Queen Venus veiled her eyes from Roman light ; 
\\ ithin their shelter Cupid came when he 
Had passed all human harbors in his flight. 

Close cuddled there upon his mother's breast 
The cunning Cherub seemed a fitting guest. 

"Eros, my pet, what frightt-ned you? " she said, 
'' Your wings are rumpled and your bow is 
battered : 



65 



INTERL UDES. 



The vagrant ringlets of your comely head, 

lyike wind-tossed, sun-kissed waves, are scat- 
tered." 
She'd half a mind to chide him, but one look 
Upon Ivove's face, and frowns her brow for- 
sook. 

Then sweet Love stilled his deep, quick breathing 

That often follows his tumultuous haste, 
When safety once again in smiles was wreathing 
His lips, whose roses fear ofttimes lays waste. 
He 'gan to count the arrows he had carried 
While near the hearts of mortals he had tar- 
ried. 

'**Of winged shafts ten I had only this morning, 
But one transfixed a haughty woman's heart, 
Who'd given to vows and prayers but idle scorn- 
ing. 
Another made two life-barks drift apart" — 

"But where," quoth Venus, " are the two 

you tipped 
With love that from Divinity you sipped ? " 

"^The one," said he, "forms the eternal part 
Of a sweet soul who dwelt among a race 

vSo full of cruelty that death's cold dart 
Left a glad smile upon his human face ; 



66 



INTERL UDES. 

So glad that men beheld with wonder 
The joy from which their sins held them 
asunder." 

■"The other's — lost !" then Cupid cried in grief; 

Poor lyove is never very far from pam, 
And Love is wise, though 'tis beyond belief 
That he remembers all his loss and gain ; 

Find this he must — it was above all price, 
Who held it ope'd the gate of Paradise. 

Then Love set out upon an eager quest, 

To find what he had lost on earth, 
Vowing to give himself no moment's rest, 
Nor lend himself to sorrow nor to mirth 

Until he deemed he'd found the mislaid love, 
And beauty's queen his judgment should 
approve. 

Blind Cupid's hearing is phenomenal, 

So, oft he heard his own name spoken 

In tones intense and tones uncommon — all 

People had for him some sort of token : 

But to divide the love divine from human — 
His task was great, his study — man and 
woman. 

^'M}^ dearest love," one cried, (The God leaned 
low) ; 

67 



INTERL UDES. 

" If I were sure that I should never see 
Your face again, sweet, I should long to go 

From earth, thenceforth a dreary waste to me."' 
" Degrees !" said Venus, when he told her, 
"My boy, you'll wiser be when you are 
older." 

Long time ago Love learned to read by feeling 

And so he saw this sentence in a letter : 
*♦ Dear, could I feel your soft arms stealing 
About my neck, each earthly, blinding fetter 
Would disappear; my soul but needs the 

vision 
Of your pure eyes to reach the fields E)lys- 
ian." 

** When words like these," the judge said, " mortal 
men 
With human lips for mortal women fashion, 
Be sure they mean an earthly heaven. When 
They write of arms and eyes, be sure 'tis passion 
That speaks through them." (She sighed.) 

"And yet, forsooth, 
The creatures really mean to tell the truth."' 

Then Cupid paused beside a mother bending 

Above a dainty, tiny, cradled form ; 
*• My precious one, my joy shall be defending 



INTERLUDES. 



Your life with mine against each threatening 
storm. 
God help me keep your tender feet from 

stra\'ing 
Where snares are laid." She kissed thechild 
while praying. 
"Now, this," quoth Love, "is more than mere af- 
fection; 
From selfishness and haseness it is free ; 
If 'tis not heavenly love 'twill 'scape detection.'* 
But Venus said : "Can you not plainly see 
This is a part of mundane motherhood ? 
'Tis of the earth, and yet 'tis very good." 
Cupid grew sad, and quietly he crept 

Within a heart that writhed in bitter sorrow. 

The woman's lips wer«r murmuring while she wept: 

" I pray thee, hide from me the empty morrow I 

May the dear one I lovebesweetly slee-pmg. 

Though I this weary watch with woe am 

keeping. 

"Father, protect him — guard him from my gloom — 
Let me keep all the thorns — give him the flow- 
ers — 

Shut all our sadness in my living tomb ! 

Grant him but memories of our happy hours !" 



INTERL UDES. 



Such love is not all pure, but may become so. 
Venus saw pride in it and told her son so. 

Love hovered o'er a misty, moon-lit sea ; 

Two drifted there who spake no word save this ; 
" Love," breathed the woman, and "Love," an- 
swered he, 
Her sweet lips quivered 'neath his lingering 
kiss. 
With Cupid perched upon their fairy boat 
No wonder it was rapture there to float. 

Within the circle of his strong arms' clasping 
Her warm blood changed her cheeks from white 
to red. 
Love thought that he was very near to grasping 
The arrow he had lost ; but Venus said, 

"Your human wand'rings have misled you, 

dear; 
Such love as that may not outlive one year." 
When Love's long search has been so unsuccess- 
ful 
The blessed baby's apt to seem quite flurried ; 
When for his wrongs there seems no sure redress, 
full 
Many a woe he wears will make him worried. 



INTERL UDES. 



But, scorched by sarcasm, or spent with 

scorning, 
Love spreads his wings and seeks some new 
adorning. 
So, starting out once more in sunny weather. 
He stopped at sound of nmrmuring voices 
And found a maiden and a man together, 

And heard, in thrilling tones: "My heart rejoices 
That I have won your love; 'tis sweet to me 
And, always, for that gift, I'll worship thee."' 
And then he told her that she was an angel. 

And Cupid, all too trusting, did not wonder ; 
Although of heaven and earth he has the range,, 
all 
Mortals weave a veil to keep him under. 

But Venus gave this trophy quick rejection 
Saying it was of love a dim reflection. 

Hope is of Love a satisfying guest, 

So he bethought him of a handsome face 
Where lurking dimples oft had given him rest ; 
But stern resolve had ta'en their wonted place, 
l/ove is persistent and once come, he lingers; 
And so he poised himself on this man's fin- 
gers. 



INTERLUDES. 



And yet they wrot°: " My darling, it is best; 

Our destiny is cruel, hence I go, 
And you with me must yield to fate's behest ; 
What this step costs me, dear, you'll never 
know."" 
Cupid was loath to leave, but had to say, 
"From what Gods love fear drives them not 
away." 

On a fair face the seal of death was set ; 

Love looked upon her 'ere she went away. 
Those who could know her never could forget 
Her soul — herself; the tw ilight of her day 
Upon the earth had followed all too soon 
And shed its shadow o'er her glorious noon. 
A woman, like to her, yet stronger, tearless stood. 
"My wounded dove!" she said, "my broken 
flower! 
You will have left life's treacherous flood 
Far — far behind you 't re another hour. 

Earth's night is closing round you, but 'tis 

fleet. 
And deathless is the dawning you will 
greet" 

She uttered not one weak, protesting moan ; 



INTERLUDES. 

She watched the spirit quit the beauteous dust 
'Then, doomed to walk the earth alone, 

She bowed her head and whispered, "God is 
just." 
Then Beauty gave sweet I^ove her crowning 

kiss 
And said, "The holy angels love like this." 



BROKEN WIRES. 

Strong are the sensitive, hidden wires 
On which there travels secret thought, 

Impelled by fierce or fond desires, 

"With human needs and longings fraught. 

But coldness breaks these bonds in twain. 
And other lives may come between ; 

So light a thing is mortal pain, 

Thus earthly chance and change are seen. 

Yet he who sees the perfect plan 

May give a ray of love divine 
To seal anew the sundered span, 

And send your soul, dear friend, to mine. 



73 



INTERL UDES. 



THE GIFT OF HEALING. 

'When that blow falls," I said, "my heart will 

break." 
And afterwards, I seemed to see myself 
Grown strong and stern and cold, impervious 
To griefs of those about me ; what I saw 
Of sorrows in the lives that touched with mine 
Should pass me by as if I saw it not. 
No other soul had promise such as mine. 
And it so wrecked by what had made it sure ; 
And then I prayed, "Oh, God, in mercy, ward 
The blow : for if it fall I shall grow hard." 
The stroke was not delayed; my warm heart 

plead 
In vain ; then gave its human blood to stain 
Relentless steel. And, now, all griefs assail 
My soul as shadows that are cast against 
Dense darkness; ail their power to force the 

light 
From out my life is gone, because my heart 
Dwells in the gloom where no sun shines ; a 

tomb 
Shuts out the day and hides the flowers; yet^ 

stunned, 
In this retreat, my soul responds to woes 



INTERL UDES. 



That come to others. Griefs that once I passed 
In silent scorn because they seemed so slight 
Beside my own, I know do blight and sear. 
Now, mourning ones do bring their burdened 

hearts 
To me as to a sure relief; when, now, 
I see the pure who writhe in anguiijh, I 
Can see how sorrow strengthens them; and when 
I look on sin, I see tne suffering that 
Is sure to follow it ; and so my soul 
Has found the way to pity all the world. 
That death-blow to my selfish hopes broke down 
What bars us from another's woe ; the power 
To help, comes when our lives have lost their 

glory. 



EVER-BLOOMING. 



The drifting snows are piled above 
The grave wherein was laid 

A form that held the soul of love, 
By chastening sorrow made. 



75 



INTERLUDES. 

Cold are the hands that clung to mine 
Stilled is the clear, strong voice ; 

Closed are the deep, dark eyes divine 
That bade ruy heart rejoice. 

Blasted are beauteous flowers of peace 
That flourished in your care, 

Flowers that promised me release 
From bonds of dull despair. 

And yet is granted unto md 
In your sweet memory, dear, 

A gift })erennial from thee — 
I've roses all the year. 



SYMPATHY. 

What were rich music with no ears to hear it ? 

What were rare visions with no eyes to see? 
What, to my heart, unless you were near it, 

Were all that the universe offers to me ? 

Deep are the valleys and rugged the mountains, 
Silent ana dark are the waters of life ; 

The rivers of sorrow are wide, while joy's fountains 
Recede from the world and its wearisome strife. 



76 



INTERLUDES. 



Love is to life as the sunshine to flowers ; 

The touch of your hand is a safeguard for me 
The years are as days and the days are as hours, 

Made glad by the glory of sweet sympathy. 



WINTER WINDS. 

If winter winds were always here, 
And leaves were always brown and sere, 
Then I'd despair of you, my dear, 
Whose love is summer. 

If sunshine did not follow snow, 
And blt'ssings wait us where we go, 
And healing come for every blow, 
I'd lose my hope, dear. 

If hearts were hurt by years of frost 
And sorrow were not worth its cost, 
Then I should count my heaven lost. 
And with it, you, dear. 

I know, though tossed by bitter pain. 
My summertime will come again. 
My tears are only April rain. 
And you are true, dear. 



'NTERL UDES. 



IF YOU WERE HERE AND THE WORLD AWAY^ 

If you were here and the world away, 

I'd banish sorrow ; 
I'd breathe the blessings of today, 

Nor dread tomorrow. 

If you were here and the world were lost — 

My life's sun setting. 
My soul would have no thought of cost, 

No wild regretting. 

If you were here and the world away, 

My hopes would fold their wings 
I/ike tired birds that spend their day 

Dragged down by common things. 

If you were here and the world shut out. 

My heart would rest, 
For well I know beyond all doubt 

That you are best. 

But you are gone and the world is here, 

And all is gone — 
All that my inmost heart holds dear — 

And I'm alone. 



INTERL UDES. 



ABOVE THE EARTH. 

Flying — flying — swift of wing, 
May all good betide you ; 

Human forethought could not bring 
Power to lift and guide you. 

Crying — crying — as you go, 

Gayly on together ; 
Floating, now, serene and slow. 

Light of life and feather. 

Dying— dying — reeling where 
Once your flight was fearless ; 

Hearts that throb in upper air 
Suffer and are tearless, 



THE CITY OF DULUTH. 

Stanch and stout, she dared all weathers, 

Braved the storm and bore the calm, 
Watched lithe white-caps leap like feathers, 
Heard old ocean's thunderous psalm. 
Strong as bonds of love and truth , 
Stately City of Duluth. 



79 



INTERL ODES. 

On her decks pace human lovers, 

Hearts ICvSS steadfast than her own , 
With a dream of rest she covers 
Those whose sorrow walks alone. 
Guardian of both age and youth, 
Tender City ofDuluth. 

From the eager, fierce, fresh water 

Many a load of precious freight 
She has kept; but one day brought her 
Barred from safety, to her fate. 

Sunk from sight and small the ruth. 
Silent City ofDuluth. 



LET ME BUT LOOK UPON YOUR FACE. 

lyct me but look upon your face 

Just as my time shall come to die; 
I .shall lose the sight of time and place 

With no thought of beauties that passed me by. 

Let me but touch your hand with mine, 
Just as my warm blood chills in death ; 

Wild joy shall leap from my heart to thine, 
And quicken and thrill e'en my parting breath. 



80 



INTERLUDES. 

Let but your dear voice speak my name, 
Just as all earthly sounds shall cease; 

Discords of treachery, loss and gain 

Shall be swallowed up m a psalm of peace. 

Come to me, love, when the light grows dim 
Of the last of the days I shall ever know, 

Your nearness shall bless me and shut me in 
From danger and sorrow wherever I go. 



SOMETIME. 

Out from the land of the used-to-be, 

Oa to an unknown fate. 
An I my sad soul sings for I know that you 

Will come to me, soon or late. 

Not with the flush of the untried day, 

Not with the blaze of noon. 
But with evening's peace and perfect rest ; 
Oh, come to me. Love, come soon. 

Only to know you are waiting there 

Where past and future meet. 
Shuts all of bitterness from my heart, 

And makes all my sorrows sweet. 



81 



INTERL UDES. 



Ivet my years be slow and my nights be dark, 

Let days be drear and long, 
I shall find you, dear, and harmony 

Shall flood my soul with sacred song. 



COULD 1 BUT COME TO YQU. 

Could I but come to you whither you've gone, 
Wonderful secrets to me Mere made known 

Secrets my soul has sought, 

Sorrows my life has brought, 
All understood. 

Could I but follow through infinite space 

Up the vast height where you rest in your place, 

Over the sun and stars. 

Past all our worldly bars, 
Free as the air. 

Dearest, I'll come to you whither you've gone, 
When the brief span of my earth-life is done ; 

Learning my lessons here. 

Casting out doubt and fear, 
Help me to come. 



INTERL UDES. 



TO A DEER IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY. 

Doomed to browse mid rusty volumes, 

Wrested from thy place, 
Doomed to leave the grassy hill-sides 

This dull spot to grace ; 

Here's my hand and here's my pity, 

I'm, like thee, alone; 
Though so many humans greet me, 

Soul-kin I have none. 

Though the rabble roar around me. 

Through thy sightless eyes 
By the power thy spirit gives me 

Nature's splendors rise ; 

Snow-crowned peaks and peaceful valleys, 

Clear, refreshing streams — 
With thy mate, thus re-created. 

Moonlight o'er them gleams, 

Captive thou to sternest keeper ; 

Death hath firmly bound 
All thy strong and supple sinews ; 

Fate hast on thee frowned. 



INTERL UDES. 



Should thy slaver come to view thee, 

May his keen eyes see 
How his pleasure brought a cruel, 

Bitter wrong to thee. 

IT WAS SUMMER. 

It was summer only a day ago. 
Here, where now gleams this drifted snow ; 
Summer, and flowers were blooming here 
Where frost is sparkling, cold and clear ; 
Gay birds were voicing nature's glee, 
"Where wild winds shriek, remorselessly. 
Memories to cherish and hopes to cheer, 
These are the gifts of the changing year. 

It was only a day ago, your love 

Shone throuj^h the darkness my life above ; 

Once I was sure of your steadfast hand. 

While now, alone, I must fall or stand. 

Your voice was potent to guide and cheer ; 

Now, but my own sorrow's cry I hear. 

I pray that my soul may be good and brave- 

A flower that blossoms on your grave. 



INTERLUDES, 



ANTI-BICYCLE. 



Oh, give me the life of the bounding steed — 

Let those who will love the senseless wheel — 
For nothing is a cold machine 

Compared with what can think and feel. 
And all the night or all the day, 

In stormy or in pleasant weather, 
O'er ice and sleet or muddy roads. 

My horse and I can be together. 
Free as the air we both can breathe, 

We climb the rugged hills and mountains, 
Gayly we gallop through the vales. 

And drink from nature's glorious fountains. 
Give me the touch of the soft, warm nose, 

And the loving neigh and the active brain. 
The sensitive ears ana the flying feet. 

To guide and guard me througbi sun and rain. 
Give me the curve of an arching neck, 

With nervous strength and a clear, bright eye. 
With the swift, stiong play of slender limbs, 

And let all the wheels in the world go hy. 



85 



INTERLUDES, 



PREDESTINATION. 



The kitten played about the house 

As young things will ; 
There ventured forth a bright- eyed mouse 

Its destiny to fulfill ; 
There lurks within the tiger's breast 

A fierce desire, 
And so — ah ! well ! you know the rest 

No hidden fire 
Leaped out to save the tiny life ; 

The deed was d one ; 
An atom worsted in the strife. 

The cat played on. 

You sighed and smiled and looked at me, 

You played your part ; 
Then passed on gayly, glad and free, 

And broke my heart. 
The fiery serpents of the sky 

No human hand 
Can guide or stay, but helplessly, 

Do mortals stand 



INTERL UDES. 



Before the Power who governs all, 

While love and hate 
Point out the road for great and small- 

The way of fate. 



THE BETTER PART. 

His supple fingers sweep the answ'ring keys ; 
They thrill beneath his strong and tender touch 
The rhythmic sound has in it magic, such 

As conquered ancient Orpheus' rocks and trees ; 

And still, his one ambition is to please 
The multitude ; his thought is given so much 
To outward form that from his sordid touch 

The mystic life within forever flees. 

Another, all unnoticed by the throng. 

In darkness and in sorrow's silence heard 
The music that his blundering, groping hand 
Could only mar; and yet this soul was stirred 

As were the listening Greeks by Sappho's song. 
He could not sing but he could understand.. 



INTERL UDES. 



AN EVENING BLESSING. 

This day with its griefs and sorrows 
Has said farewell to my world, 

And this day's sun's last arrows 
Have into my heart been hurled. 

In this secluded valley 

Where nature reigns supreme, 

There comes to my soul a presence 
That soothes like a blissful dream. 

The birds' "goodnight" doth bring me 
A promise of peace and rest ; 

Though hard my lot and lonely, 
There is One who knoweth best. 

So strong, so sweet, so tender, 
The eye of the evening star 

Shines on 'till the gates of heaven 
Swing, silently, ajar. ' • 

This day that has passed so harshly 
Has brought me to quiet night ; 

By climbing o'er pain and anguish, 
My soul has reached this height. 



88 



INTERL UDES. 



AN OPEN DOOR. 



It seems to stand so wide, as if it were 
Inviting me to come ! And yet, I know 
That it is narrow, for, 'ere they could pass 
Beyond those portals, friends of yours and mine 
Have laid aside the sorrows that we've seen 
Them bend beneath, and cumbrous cares have 

ceased 
To weigh them down because they could not take 
Them past the Sentinel who guards the door : 
Dear joys that were so pure and sweet their souls 
Were lifted up and strengthened by their power. 
They each have left behind them with the clasp 
Of human hands and human lips caressing. 
Each earthling claims that threshold as his own 
For one brief instant ; all beyond is black 
And still ; perhaps our sins and their regrets — 
•Our duties done and their rewards — will greet 
Us on the other side; perhaps our hopes 
And haunting fears will there be rounded out — 
Made grander — and perhaps our glimpse of time 
Will dwindle into nothing in the light 
Of broad eternity's unspanned spaces: 
For whether thought or speech or sight or touch 



INTERL UDES. 

Is found within the darkness that we feel 
No mortal surely knows, since never a voice 
Comes back to us from out the silent land. 



JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. 

The soft, September haze had kissed the hills ; 
His day had closed mid gleams of sunset-glow »^ 
And peace and promise such as poets know 

Had blessed him here; the myst'ry that fulfills 

Karth's hopes and dreams and with its presence 
stills 
Barth's fears and pains, was waiting to bestow 
Its silent rest; in unseen grandeur flow 

The waters that must bear us from life's ills. 

Just as the glad, new morning beckoned him. 
Sad earth's despair and wrongs grew weak and 

dim; 
His sunrise streamed along the out-bound tide ; 
God's strong, brave angels welcomed to their 
side 
One who from earth had drawn no mortal 
stain. 
But left behind a pure, prophetic gain. 



90 



INTERLUDES. 



SUCCOR. 



A rough, steep path stretched out before my feet, 
'Twas hedged with cruel thorns that pierced and 

stung 
My hands that groped about in search of help ; 
The miry clay through which I'd struggled on 
Clogging my footsteps, clung to me ; the wounds 
Sins of my past had given me were opened ; 
They clamortd loudly and had drawn me back 
Into the deep and dreadful slough from which 
My soul's demands had raised me, had a voice 
Not called from out the gloom by which the path 
Was shrouded round. It said, "Come on! the light 
Is just above you. I can see the crowns 
Designed for you and me ; their gleaming thrills 
And gives me courage; the steps are plainer 
Here, and smootht- r than the ones 3'ou're passing ; 
The day begins lo break around me ; airs 
That are divine are wafted down to me ; 
They fill me with new life. My friend, I beg. 
Do not despair ! Go not back into the slums, 
But follow me. I know the lurking dangers 
That encompass you. I, too, have battled with 
The world and conquered it. The victory 



INTERLUDES. 



Repays me richly." That assisting voice 
Has been my strength and stay. The road is not 
So hafd to clamber over now. My wounds 
Are healing and my heart grows light. I long 
To see the angel's face; her voice is sweet ; 
I know she's waiting for me where this path 
Is ended. Oft I've felt in dreams, her hand 
Clasped close about my own. Oft I forget 
The pains and fears that harass me, because 
The thought of her warm welcome comforts me. 



WHEN DAYLIGHT DAWNS. 

Softly dreaming, sweetly sleeping, 
Seems the weary world of men, 

While the silent sky is keeping 
Watch until it wakes again. 

Day is shunned by those who stumble 
Through the devious ways of sin. 

Truth and right, however humble, 
Search the soul they enter in. 



93 



INTERL UDES. 



Por a while some shadows linger, 
Shadows that the night has cast ; 

Daylight points a warning finger 
From the present to the past. 

Cowards do not seek the morning — 
Dare not face the sun's bright rays ; 

Brave hearts greet the daylight's dawning, 
With thanksgiving, prayer and praise. 



MEMORIES. 

The silent twilight deepens, 

For time is fleet ; 
But once there was a twilight 

When love was sweet. 

The walls that now surround me 

Have heard j'our voice, 
Attuned to make my pulses 

And soul rejoice. 

No sunshine and no sorrow 

Can take away 
The bliss that held and thrilled me 

One sad, sweet day. 



INTERL UDES. 



In memories and twilight 

I find the power 
That made my life a poem 

For one brief hour. 



WHEN WE ARE OLD. 

"When we are old," she said, "when we are old, 
Our lives shall flow together side by side ; 

Together shall we watch eternity unfold, 
Whatever ills our present paths betide. 

Do not despair, dear; keep your brave heart strong ;.. 

All of the sorrows that bind you shall be told 
Here in my arms, secure from every wrong, 

When we are old, my darling, when we're old." 

^ -St 4fr -X ¥: * 

Resting in safety and far away from sin, 

Where death's dark curtain can never be un- 
rolled, 

There shall I join you and gladly enter in 

Where love awaits me, and never can grow old- 



94 



INTERL UDES. 



CHANCE. 

'The wind blows good — the wind blows ill — 

And happy hours are flying : 
All that is past is cold and still 

And fragrant flowers are dying. 

The wind blows soft — the wind blows warm — 

And we forget fate's chiding, 
Nor hear the muttering of the storm 

That unseen hands are guiding. 

The winds are fierce and loud and strong — 
Of life's despair they're shrieking ; 

Drained are the clear, sweet springs of song, 
And all earth's ties are breaking. 

We cannot change the storm-wind's counse, 

Nor stay its awful power ; 
We cannot shelter from death's force 

Our dearest, fairest flower. 

•Creatures of chance we must remain, 

The strongest wills but creeping, 
Yet He who sends us peace and pain 

Still has us in His keeping. 



95 



INTERLUDES. 



UNCERTAINTY. 



A mariner has reached a foreign shore ; 

Refreshing breezes bring him flowers' breath, 

He feels again firm earth beneath his feet, 

The hum of insects and the song of birds 

Give him glad greeting, while his eye delights 

To gaze upon the undulating stretch 

Of grass-clad hills and vales ; waters that lave 

The unknown coast are fresh and pure ; their taste 

Is welcomed by him ; many days at sea 

Help one to feel what joyful landing means. 

And yet he cannot, know if from some height. 

Far off, unseen by him, these sweet streams rush. 

He cannot know if they are fed by springs 

Too deep to be exhausted or de61ed ; 

He cannot know if they do help to drain 

A continent's untraversed grandeur, or 

A tiny island's puny pleasantness., 

Ha rests beneath the shadowy trees, he basks 

Upon the sunny sands ; he plucks the fruits 

That grow within his reach ; some withered 

flowers 
Bear witness of his fickle, grasping hands. 
And then, perchance, he sails away and leaves 
Behind him, all untried, the mystery, 



96 



INTERL UDES. 



The possible enchantments and, no doubt, 
Some lurking dangers, too. In much this way 
One soul grows conscious of another one. 
The windows of the soul are clear and bright, 
Its messenger is tuneful, low and sweet ; 
The human that enwraps the soul is fair, 
But limpid eyes are sometimes shallow, too, 
And voices that are sweet can falsehoods utter ; 
Frail, changing charms that yield themselves to 

each 
Who seeks them out may make weak pulses flutter; 
And so the sailor's apt to drift away 
All unenlightened as to what he's found, 
What shallows or what depths he leaves behind 
He knows not, nor can ever know ; for each 
Must be his own discoverer as to thoughts. 
Perhaps all other minds may climb too high 
Or grope too low to find rich gems that lie 
Fast locked, without the one inspired key 
That has the power to bring them to the light.. 
We treasure up some apt and pretty phrase. 
Perhaps we press some kisses on the lips 
Of one who pleases us, perhaps we leave 



97 



INTERL UDES, 



A transient heartache when we go, perhaps 
A lasting sorrow ; sad remembrances 
May go with us ; it may be that in dreams 
Ol day or night, visions will come to us. 
Imagination paints what's sometimes, more, 
A.nd sometimes less, than is reality. 

ADORATION. 

Flowers are fairest as they die, 

So, my love, you perish, 
Though I know, alas ! that I 

IvCfcser loves shall cherish. 

Breathe your latest, sweetest breath ; 

I go on without you ; 
You are going to your death 

With all your charms about you. 

Underneath your coffin-lid 
Rests my heart's devotion, 

Many a precious pearl is hid 
By the storm-tossed ocean. 

Time and place may now destroy 

All that's left of living. 
Friends upbraid and foes annoy 

Passing heart-pangs giving. 



98 



PRELUDES. 



Sleep, my dearest and my best, 
Nothiug, now, can maim you ;: 

Darkest days of mine are blest 
For my soul can claim you. 



RKCOMPENSE. 

While far in the eastern heavens 

The eye of the evening- star 
Burns red from the fierce reflections 

Of a world where mortals are, 
The clouds hang thick and sombre 

O'er the spot where my sweet day died. 
And memory's voiceless phantoms 

About her still grave glide. 
Yet out from the depth of shadows 

There flashes a sacred thought, 
That brings to my soul more comfort 

Than all that my joy hath wrought. 



PRELUDES. 



MESSENGERS. 

Tlie night is full of stars — 

One star, alone, I see ; 
This one of heaven's windows 

Gives light enough for me. 

Of all the forest's foliage, 
One leaf came floating down ; 

It brought to me sweet comfort ; 
I knew it for my own. 

Of all of nature's flowers 

This one has given its breath 

To be a balm for sorrow — 

To save my hope from death. 

light ! O leaf ! O blossom ! 
My grief was dumb and blind 

You gave it voice and vision 
That only mourners find. 

1 found the world a riddle, 
You made its meaning plain ; 

My life was all in chaos. 
You gave it form and name. 



100 



lAR 



V8§9. 



